By Elsie Kamsiyochi
Israel’s conflict with Hezbollah entered a dangerous new phase on Monday after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered fresh military strikes against targets in Beirut’s southern suburbs, a densely populated area widely regarded as Hezbollah’s stronghold.
The decision signals a significant escalation in the war and threatens to further undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions across the Middle East.
The strikes were ordered following a series of attacks launched by Hezbollah against northern Israel. Netanyahu said Israel would no longer tolerate a situation in which Hezbollah continues to target Israeli communities while maintaining operational headquarters in Beirut’s Dahiyeh district. In a televised statement, the Israeli leader declared that Israel would continue expanding its military operations in Lebanon until the threat posed by Hezbollah is removed.
The announcement triggered panic across Beirut’s southern suburbs, prompting thousands of residents to flee their homes. Traffic jams quickly formed on roads leading out of the area as families loaded vehicles with belongings and searched for safer locations. Many displaced residents said they had already been forced to relocate multiple times since the conflict intensified earlier this year.
“This is the third time since the ceasefire that we have had to leave our homes,” one resident said while transporting mattresses and personal possessions through crowded streets. Like many others, he planned to seek refuge in northern Lebanon, far from the fighting.
The latest escalation comes despite previous efforts by the United States to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. While a temporary truce announced in April reduced some hostilities, clashes have continued in southern Lebanon, and both sides have repeatedly accused each other of violating ceasefire terms.
According to Netanyahu’s office, the strikes were authorized in response to what Israel described as repeated Hezbollah attacks and ongoing violations of agreements intended to limit hostilities. Israeli officials argue that military action is necessary to protect northern Israeli communities from rocket and missile attacks.
Over the weekend, Israeli forces intensified operations in southern Lebanon, including the capture of the historic Beaufort Castle, a strategic hilltop fortress that overlooks large sections of the border region. Israeli military officials described the seizure as an important tactical achievement in their broader campaign against Hezbollah positions.
Hezbollah, meanwhile, claimed responsibility for launching multiple attacks on Israeli targets, including a missile barrage aimed at military infrastructure near the city of Tiberias. The group said its actions were a response to continued Israeli military operations and alleged ceasefire violations.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz reinforced the government’s position, warning that there would be no peace in Beirut if residents of northern Israel remained under threat. His remarks reflected growing frustration within Israel over continued Hezbollah attacks despite months of military operations.
The humanitarian consequences of the conflict continue to worsen. Lebanese authorities report that more than 3,400 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since fighting intensified in March. More than one million people have been displaced across Lebanon, creating one of the country’s largest humanitarian crises in recent history. Israel, for its part, says 24 soldiers and four civilians have been killed during the same period.
The military escalation is also having broader regional consequences. Iranian officials have accused Israel of sabotaging diplomatic efforts related to the wider confrontation involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Israeli military actions in Lebanon have become one of the major obstacles delaying negotiations aimed at reducing regional tensions.
Diplomatic efforts led by Washington have struggled to gain momentum. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly held discussions with both Israeli and Lebanese leaders over the weekend, proposing a phased de-escalation plan. Under the proposal, Hezbollah would first halt attacks against Israel, while Israel would refrain from expanding military operations into Beirut and its surrounding suburbs.
However, disagreements over the sequence of steps have stalled progress. Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a key Hezbollah ally, expressed support for a ceasefire but questioned who would guarantee that Israel would halt its military actions. Lebanese officials have reportedly pushed for a comprehensive ceasefire rather than a limited arrangement focused on specific areas.
Political analysts warn that Netanyahu’s latest decision to strike Beirut’s southern suburbs could further weaken already fragile diplomatic efforts. Lebanese sources familiar with negotiations described the move as evidence that the U.S.-led mediation process is deteriorating at a time when regional stability remains highly uncertain.
As air raid warnings spread across Beirut and civilians continue to flee, fears are growing that the conflict could expand further, drawing additional regional actors into an already volatile confrontation.
With diplomacy struggling to keep pace with developments on the ground, the prospect of a broader and longer war appears increasingly likely.
Source Reuters